palaestrae

Gymnasia and Groves

The three most famous gymnasia in Athens, situated outside the city in naturally well-watered and shady sanctuaries of pre-Classical date, were those in the suburbs. In the Academy there was a shrine of the hero Hekademos; the Lykeion had a sanctuar...

II.6 The Great Palaestra

Colonnaded porticoes encircled the palaestra on the south, west and north. A large swimming pool (34.55 m x 22.25 m) was located in the center. Casts made of tree cavities planted eight meters apart in two rows around the north, west and south sides...

Park Area Adjacent to the Great Palaestra and the Amphitheater

Park-like areas were located between the Great Palaestra and the Amphitheater and to the north. Here booths were set up under trees or awnings and a carnival atmosphere existed as depicted in a painting (Mus. Naz. inv. no. 112 222) found in the peri...